As the curtain of night gradually descended, lights were turned on in Lu familyâs villa, and the servants busily continued their work. Ji Qingqing knew that they were busy with Lu Lixingâs funeral preparations. Perhaps, in only a matter of days, she would become Lu Lixingâs widow. Dressed in black mourning clothes and holding small white flowers along with a black-and-white photo of Lu Lixing, she would act out a lifetime role of grieving widow.
She wasnât planning on doing anything that would inconvenience the Lu household. After resting for a bit in the guest room that Aunty Pei had arranged for her, she decided to go look for Elder Lu.
Elder Lu had lost his son in his middle age, and now he was going to lose his grandson in his old age. In the future, this giant villa would have one less person. Who knows how desolate it would become? Seeing Elder Lu made her think of her own grandfather and how she had wanted a good relationship with him. She didnât want to see such a kind and caring old man fall into depression.
âYoung Madam, Elder Lu invites you to dinner.â
Right after she left her room, a servant came to invite her to the dining room. Elder Lu was already sitting in the head seat. He was dispirited and had no appetite. Seeing Ji Qingqing, he kindly gesture for her to sit down to eat.
Aunty Pei pulled out the chair on the right sight of Old Master Lu for her to sit in. The food on the table were light dishes meant to whet oneâs appetite.
âQingqing ah, just treat this place like its your own home. Eat whatever you like. We only got back recently, so I didnât have time to tell you that we usually eat light foods. If this doesnât suit your tastes, just talk to Aunty Pei. She can cook something else for you.â
Ji Qingqing hastily said, âNo need for the extra trouble. Grandfather, Iâm not a picky eater.â
Aunty Pei ladled out a bowl of soup for him. âElder Lu, Second Young Master is finally back. How aboutâŠâ
Old Master Luâs mood worsened. He only took a few sips of the soup before stopping. âDonât mention that bastard! He moved out and didnât bother contacting his family members for several years. Now that his older brother is almost⊠Itâs only now that heâs finally come back! He might as well just wait until this old sack of bones is dead and then come back!â
âElder Lu, donât be angry. Second Young Master is just slightly too stubbornâŠâ
âStay out of this,â he told Aunty Pei. Then, Elder Lu stood up and said to Ji Qingqing, âQingqing, take your time eating. Iâm going to see that bastard!â
After saying this, he went upstairs to the study.
Aunty Pei watched as Elder Lu walked away. Her face looked anxious.
âAunty Pei, whatâs wrong?â
Aunty Pei look towards the studyâs. Her face showed her worry. âSecond Young Master just came back and Elder Lu told him to meet him in the study. Iâm afraid that Second Young Master is in for a beating.â
Second Young Master was Lu Lixingâs younger brother, and the novelâs male lead, Lu Liting. Their parents had died while they were young. It was inevitable that Elder Lu would miss a few things in raising two boys by himself.
Lu Lixing had grown up to be a stable man while Lu Liting remained unreasonably rebellious. These two brothers had sharply contrasting personalities. Elder Lu was more satisfied with his elder grandson, Lu Lixing. He was a mature, steady person that would be suitable in taking over the Lu familyâs business.
Lu Liting had been unhappy with his grandfatherâs unequal treatment, so he left home. He wanted to make a future for himself with his own merits.
In the novel, after Lu Liting left home, he met Ji Qingqing. At that time, his first venture had failed, and he was experiencing for the first time the hardships of starting a business. At the moment when he was feeling lost and doubting himself Ji Qingqing appeared in his life like a beam of light that dispelled the shadows in his heart.
Unfortunately, Ji Qingqing was a money grubber. A wealthy second-generation heir appeared and pursued Ji Qingqing because of her beauty. Without a word of explanation, Ji Qingqing broke up with the poor Lu Liting.
The breakup was a heavy blow to Lu Liting. Afterwards, his personality greatly changed. It was as if he was a completely different person. Ji Qingqing became the person that he hated the most. He never got over her.